Appeal pays off as Zaha makes point for Palace
AND to think Wilfried Zaha wasn’t even supposed to be playing.
There was almost an air of inevitability about it all as the Crystal Palace forward grabbed a crucial equaliser at Selhurst Park.
Of course it was him. Who else would it be?
As soon as Palace lodged an appeal against Zaha’s extra onematch ban for sarcastically applauding referee Andre Marriner after being sent off against Southampton — which meant he could play against West Ham yesterday — he was always going to have a profound impact.
West Ham may point to a cunning plan for Zaha to carry his suspension into next Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round clash against Doncaster — a game he may not even have been selected for anyway.
They may have a point. But as much as Manuel Pellegrini may dislike it, that’s how the cookie crumbles.
And what’s more, Palace were well worth their point during their pulsating London derby. At halftime Palace were clinging on, but by full time it was West Ham who were praying for the whistle.
Roy Hodgson, knowing the uncertainties of Premier League football, will be satisfied with the point despite watching his side squander chance after chance in the second half.
‘There is an element of disappointment when the performance merited three points but only got one,’ said Hodgson.
‘But we were a goal to nil down for a long time, so that does temper my thoughts.’
Vicente Guaita made two important saves in as many firsthalf minutes to deny Ryan Fredericks and Robert Snodgrass as West Ham came flying out of the traps.
But that’s not to say Palace were without chances — Lukasz Fabianski made two excellent stops to deny James McArthur and Christian Benteke.
But the opening 45 minutes unquestionably belonged to West Ham. They got their just desserts in the 27th minute when Guaita careered into Michail Antonio after Declan Rice’s delicate flick caused havoc in the Eagles defence.
Once Antonio got his head to the ball, Guaita, having committed himself, knew he was in trouble.
Craig Pawson, without any hesitation, pointed to the spot. Mark Noble, equally convincing, sent Guaita the wrong way to score his first of the season.
But how Palace weren’t on level terms in the 52nd minute will remain one of the season’s mysteries.
James McArthur had the freedom of Selhurst Park to pick his spot after Patrick van Aanholt unlocked West Ham’s rearguard with a clever flick.
The Scot had two options, stroke past Fabianski or square to Benteke. He did neither.
McArthur waited and waited some more before flicking over Fabianski only for his effort from five yards to hit the outside of the post.
Michy Batshuayi, on as a 60th minute substitute, missed another gilt-edged opportunity, sweeping wide from 10 yards when unmarked.
But in the 76th minute Palace finally notched the equaliser their second-half display justified as Zaha’s shot from a tight angle took a decisive defection off Issa Diop before looping over the helpless Fabianski. CRYSTAL PALACE (4-4-2): Guaita 6.5; Wan-Bissaka 7, Kelly 6.5, Sakho 7, Van Aanholt 7.5; Townsend 7, Milivojevic 6, McArthur 6 (Meyer 79min), Schlupp 6.5; Benteke 5 (Batshuayi 60, 6), Zaha 6.5. Booked: Wan-Bissaka, Milivojevic, McArthur. Subs (not used): Hennessey, Ward, Dann, Ayew, Sako. WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Fabianski 7, Fredericks 6.5 (Zabaleta 84), Diop 7, Ogbonna 7, Cresswell 6.5; Noble 7, Rice 7.5; Antonio 6.5 (Obiang 73), Snodgrass 6, Anderson 7; Hernandez 6.5 (Arnautovic 68, 6). Subs (not used): Adrian, Carroll, Masuaku, Diangana Referee: C Pawson (South Yorkshire) 6.